The Terrors Of Youth In Richard Finny's A Separate Peace

The Terrors of Youth There are many memories that may come to mind when the word adolescence is spoken. Some people recall times of enjoyable, innocent adventures, but for others the phrase “teenage years” holds horrific memories. For a section of the populace their “teen experiences” may be the most appalling time period, as they begin to undergo many changes. This concept of dark adolescence is present, not only in the real world, but in the literary world as well. For example, in the novel A Separate Peace where a friendship turned in the wrong direction and a deadly war, mark the moments of growing up. While some readers believe that Phineas (Finny) and Gene’s separate peace shows the innocence of youthful occurrences; a closer inquiry demonstrates that through mental illness and death , adolescence is a time of terror, thus showing a theme of the realization of reality. Psycho – it is a word heard frequently in the present time period, but a detrimental adjective in the 1940’s. So, it is reasonable as to why Gene is taken aback when Leper uses the phrase to describe himself. With very little thought Leper decides he will enlist in World War II, and quickly leaves to serve his country. Not long after Leper departs, Gene receives a telegram from Leper stating that he escapes the war, but needs help. Gene treks out to Vermont to search for his …show more content…
Although some people may have these unsatisfactory recollections, they have few to reflect on, unlike many characters in A Separate Peace. For instance, the harsh memories of Gene, Phineas, and Leper relating to their time at Devon and periods in the war. Through the psychotic behavior of Leper, and Phineas’ detrimental accident, it is proven that teenage experiences are not always amusing. Yet, these horrible occurrences unveil an important message; the realization of